Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 2 — page 197: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE BRAVE AND THE FARE. larder supplied a fine young roasting chicken for which the oven still was hot. A bunch of new asparagus went into a pan on top of the stove; some early potatoes were put in to roast with the fowl; and some more lettuce, and bananas and apples sliced for the salad—Lillian’s heart sang within her as she thought how well she would feed her sweeter-than-sugar man, her own Jack. In time the fresh spread was duly set forth upon the best service the house af- forded. Jack escorted Lillian to her place, pushed the chair in under her, stooped for a kiss, and went around to his own chair. Suddenly he paused, listening. Lillian started up and met his gaze. Sure enough, just outside, was the un- mistakable sound of a motor. Lillian, with uneasy presentiment, rose from her place and went to Jack’s side. A moment later the door opened and a breezy young chap entered, followed by a rather disheveled girl. She stopped to shed her outer cape, wet in spite of the shelter of the car, and to rearrange her hair. He glanced about eagerly, shaking water from his overcoat like a shaggy-haired dog emerging from a pond after an unexpected bath. “Isn't it jolly here!” he exclaimed. Then, glancing into the dining-room, he | started with surprise and seized the girl’s arm. ‘Look, Amy darling! Look!” He clapped her on the back. “ We're in luck, we are! Dinner’s ready!’’ Lillian’s heart sank. She watched Jack and noticed his meuth set. The girl, divested of her hat and outer wraps, stood, on high French heels, a pert and rather diminutive thing, but a perfect picture in a trim, fashionable suit and a waist of crepe de Chine and filet lace, the neck cut very low and revealing in a long and narrow “V ” the delicate mottling re- maining from the sunburn of the summer. She reached up with her left hand, and a diamond flashed as she stroked his cheek. “Ith my honey, tho terribly hungry?” she asked. ' “Jl say so!” Without more ado he picked her up boldly, kissed her while hold- ing her in his arms, and then brought her into the dining-room, where he placed her in / other condescendingly. ‘forkful in mid air. ol9 the chair which Lillian had vacated. Tak- ing the other chair himself, he picked up the carving-kmife. His eyes were bright as he looked over the dishes before him. “ Let’s go!” He remarked briskly, seeking to Strike the proper joint with his carver. “What say?” She reached into her waist to arrange her, shoulder ribbons, pulled it up a bit in front, and fussed with her hair. ‘‘ Not tho much, thweetie!”’ she directed, watching him as he gave her half the breast, a wing, and a sec- ond joint; but taking the plate before he could diminish the portion: “Ithn’t it wonderful?” she murmured, mouth full o white meat. Jack cleared his throat, catching the eye of the other man. ‘“ We—we are not—we are not the servants—” “Oh, that’s all right,” interrupted the “T didn’t under- stand you were engaged; but you're here, and this lay-out shows you know your busi- - ness—so why worry?” ‘But you don’t understand!” Jack flushed uncomfortably. The simplest thing becomes hard to explain under irritating circumstances, and this was the second din- ner being appropriated under his nose. “ We—we are just here until the rain will let us get away. We’re—we’ve—we—” “Aw!” The new arrival paused with a “You can stick it out! If it’s a matter of money yeu can have what you want! I don’t care! The old man made his pile in war brides, and it’s up to me to help him spend it. So—” The bit of chicken ready for his palate was too tempting, however; the observation was never completed. _ Jack leaned on the table, controlling him- self with difficulty. “ T-that isn’t the ques- tion!” “Here!” The master of the situation, harassed because he wanted to eat, threw down his fork and produced a bill from a vest pocket, slipping it under Jack’s hand. “ That 711 hold you for sitting up and keep- Ing dinner this late for us, and—and if you're on the job I'll treat you handsome, I will! Now let me alone!” He leaned across the table to kiss Amy, and upset a glass of water as he did so. COM G AOOLK COlini